This post is a commentary for inspirational purposes. No part of it is monetized, nor do I profit in any way from the fictional work mentioned.
Separation is an Illusion in the Hilda movie sequel.
Imagine you wake up one day inside a cave instead of your bedroom. Not just that, but you’ve turned solid stone while someone else naps away as a human in your bed. This swapping kicks off the Netflix original Hilda and the Mountain King, which is based on the graphic novel (6th edition) by Luke Pearson.
The trolls and humans go neck-to-neck in this follow-up of Hilda seasons 1 and 2.
Hilda’s mother, Johanna, tries to get her child back. At the same time, Hilda explores the troll land and the group being a part of them.
Since humans can’t stroll in the outlands, Johanna seeks Erik Ahlberg’s help. The chief ranger of the Trolberg safety patrol agrees, but simply out of his greed to get accolades as a troll-fighting conqueror.
What looks like a complicated rescue mission ultimately turns out to be a huge discovery for Trolberg citizens.
Trolls and humans have mutual personal experiences
Every race experiences emotions.
Both communities have good and bad.
Trolberg citizens draw a stereotypical image of the trolls as ‘terrifying’ – which isn’t too fitting.
While some trolls are furious and want to avenge their community, others want to get closer to the town. Every night, a voice calls to them from the city. And it’s a calling only they can hear.
So it’s no wonder that humans fail to relate. Instead, they resort to tying bells around the trolls’ noses, arms, or whatever suffices. Whenever the creatures move, the ringing noise is too much for them to bear and evokes distress.
Trolberg citizens fail to understand the reason for their screaming. They keep the trolls away by periodically ringing large bells to keep them out of town. Similarly, Trundle (the Mountain King) and his brother are at odds with each other.
Trundle shares the same lust for power, heroism, and flattery as Erik Ahlberg. He is the complete opposite of his troll brother and wants only his own benefit. It’s hard not to compare the communities and how some of them feel for each other.
So can trolls truly care about anyone?
Hilda is shocked to the core when she changes places with Baba. She fails to understand how the caring troll mama can be so selfish until she hears the calling and begins to ponder troll behavior. But simultaneously discovers the inner strength and power she has as a troll kid.
She can wander and jump around more freely. Trylla protects Hilda from her bad fellows even though she isn’t her kid. It’s a delight to watch how the mother troll takes full responsibility for protecting and nurturing.
Feelings of selfishness, freedom, nurturing, despair… The list goes on.
Guess humans and the trolls have much in common after all.
The Nurturing Mother and Lost Child
The most striking of these emotional experiences is the mother-child dynamic.
Amma – The Mother of all Trolls
The character of ‘Amma,’ or the Mother of All Trolls, steals the show. She lies patiently under Trolberg as humans drive her troll children away. We learn she’s been there all those years since the town’s construction – and even before that.
Yet she doesn’t move a bit because she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. To this loving mother, even the humans residing on the ground above her are children. There couldn’t be a better way to portray our relationship with planet Earth and how nature has room for everyone.
If only we understand to balance our desires with nature. If only we see how our beautiful planet gives us back in the shape of flora, fauna, water, and much more. It’s a tear-jerking scene when trolls gather in the center of the town after ages and experience blooms on their surface.
They can’t see Amma, but they can feel her.
She won’t get up because she is forgiving and unconditionally loving. She blesses with flora and fauna, water, and more while sleeping deeply. Hilda, Frida, and other humans also share the blossoming moment and can’t resist but take in the flow of spiritual energy.
Related: Hilda Netflix series: How Hilda inspires me with 5 amazing lessons!
Baba and Trylla; Hilda and Johanna
The same dynamic also plays out between Hilda and Johanna; and Baba and Trylla. The mother troll performs a changeling spell to help her child have the ‘human’ experience in Trolberg.
Why so? Of course, the grass is greener in town because of the mysterious and euphoric calling. Along with that, she also wants Baba to live in comfort. She’s a mother who wants the best for her child but later realizes the selfishness of her act.
She can’t reverse the changeling spell herself but supports Hilda’s decision to become human again. Meanwhile, Johanna does her best to save her child and return Baba to Trylla.
Hilda and Baba are literally and metaphorically lost because of the identity exchange.
The swapping only expands their multidimensional experiences. For example, Hilda touches Trundle’s red orb eye to see his plans to wake up Amma. She learns to live like a troll and see through their eyes, but that doesn’t take away who she already is.
Nothing takes away the desire to return home.
Humans and the Environment
Everything is connected in the grand scheme of the universe.
The butterfly effect plays out when caring for the environment
The landscape becomes a character that interacts with Hilda and helps guide her on the journey. Breathtaking scenes of mountains, forests, rivers, and caves highlight the importance of preserving the natural environment.
We can’t help but think about climate change as well. If humans go a step and experience the land outside town, they’ll learn the bigger picture. Especially someone like Erik Ahlberg, who can be short-sighted.
Humans will see how polluting depletes resources for everyone – causing another community harm won’t do them any good.
Experiencing the impact yourself leads to empathy
Another important Hilda and the Mountain King theme is environmentalism. Human activity threatens the depths of the mountains where the trolls live. We can see the mother troll showing junk to Hilda and how it has come from the city.
These are titbits that humans have been dumping onto the grounds outside Trolberg walls. Conveniently, they avoid polluting their town. No other resources are present for the trolls, so Trylla gathers garbage to make the most of anything useful.
All of it reminds me of the English proverb…
One’s trash is another’s treasure.
Recap: Symbols and themes of Hilda and the Mountain King
The film is packed with twists and turns in the clash between humans and trolls. Trolberg citizens think trolls are violent creatures, whereas a group of trolls (Tundler in particular) view humans in the same light.
It’s interesting to watch how understanding between the two communities plays out. The biggest takeaway is that humans should learn to empathize with others. The world is diverse, and that is what makes it a bright place.
It is a reminder that everyone is connected. The butterfly effect is real – one small event can lead to bigger and even larger consequences. We’re all lost children if we don’t learn to connect with ourselves and others.
I hope you enjoyed this Hilda and the Mountain King analysis. Apart from this, Hilda’s character never ceases to inspire me. Read the 5 lessons I’ve taken from her while watching the Netflix animated original series.
More about Hilda and the Mountain King
No. Netflix is all set to release Hilda season 3, which will be the finale of the series.
Trundle is the mountain king in the Netflix film Hilda and the Mountain King.
